Tim Krul ‘can’t believe’ what he heard Joel Piroe admit about Leeds on Sky Sports
Joel Piroe has had to remain patient since Leeds United’s return to the Premier League.
Piroe faces an uncertain future at Leeds after struggling for playing time in the 2025-26 campaign thus far.
The Dutchman played 11 minutes off the substitutes’ bench as Leeds lost 2-1 to Tottenham prior to the international break.
That was Piroe‘s first appearance of any sort in five matches, having been an unused substitute for three of those and injured for the other.
Piroe more than played his part in last season’s promotion, but something he has admitted on Sky Sports left Tim Krul in disbelief.
Joel Piroe goes against the grain with Elland Road admission
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s arrival at Leeds worked against Piroe, who has had to play second-fiddle up top.
Piroe will feel he is deserving of more opportunities to impress, having scored 19 times in the Championship last season.
The 26-year-old scored three of those goals in one game against Stoke City as Leeds ran out 6-0 winners in April.
Piroe was also on the field the following month when Leeds snatched a last-gasp 2-1 win at Plymouth Argyle to clinch the title on the final day.
Those were contrasting performances, but despite the joy of netting so late on at Home Park, Piroe preferred the Stoke display.
In a segment on Sky Sports News on Tuesday when asked if he prefers a comfortable win or a dramatic win, Piroe went for the former.
That was in contrast to a few teammates, including Willy Gnonto, who each selected a late win instead.
Krul, working as a pundit on Sky Sports, was asked for his thoughts on that and said: “I can’t believe he actually said that, especially at Elland Road.
“I’ve been there when they’ve scored in the last second and it’s one of the loudest explosions of noise I’ve heard. It’s a special place.”
Piroe’s chance could soon arrive
Leeds have a massive clash with Burnley this weekend and it is imperative Daniel Farke gets his selection spot on.
Piroe has not started a game since August, but Calvert-Lewin has scored just once in four starts and that is not a good enough return.
| Fixture | Date | Minutes played | Goals | Assists |
| Everton (h) | 18 August | 78 | 0 | 0 |
| Arsenal (a) | 23 August | 58 | 0 | 0 |
| Sheffield Wednesday (a) | 26 August | 90 | 0 | 0 |
| Tottenham (h) | 4 October | 11 | 0 | 0 |
If Piroe is restricted to another cameo performance from the bench, he simply has to make the absolute most of it.
Scoring goals has been an issue for Leeds, with just seven from seven matches so far, but it is down to fringe players like Piroe to ensure they’re ready when the opportunity presents itself.
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